Part 1: Key Values for a Perfect World

What is the source of our utopian world vision?

Welcome to WorldPerfect, the 12-part online seminar that examines the impact Jewish ideas and ideals have had on civilization.

Many of us have some vague notion of the Jewish influence on civilization, but few of us really appreciate how much the Jewish people have changed the world.

To get started, think about what you consider key values for a perfect world:

Activism

Health Care

Animal Rights

Human Dignity

Charity

Human Rights

Children's Rights

Justice

Civil Liberty

Kindness

Democracy

Literacy

Education

Peace

Environmentalism

Sexual Freedom

Equality

Social Responsibility

Fair Taxation

Social Welfare

Family Values

Value of Life

Freedom of Speech

Women's Rights

The Results

Over the years, I’ve asked thousands of people from all walks of life to name the fundamental values necessary to create “the perfect world.”

Based upon this survey, six clear categories emerge:

1) Value of Life – People have the right to life, and to live with a certain basic dignity and rights.

2) World Peace – On all levels, communally and globally, people and nations should co-exist in peace and harmony, with mutual respect.

3) Justice and Equality – All people, regardless of race, gender or social status, have the right to be treated equally and fairly in the eyes of the law.

4) Education – Everyone has the right to be functionally literate as a basic tool for personal advancement and the ability to attain knowledge.

5) Family – A strong, stable family structure is necessary for the foundation for society.

6) Social Responsibility – Individually and nationally, we are responsible for each other. This includes responsibility for: disease, poverty and crime, as well as environmental preservation and animal rights.

There is universal agreement that these six values are fundamental to building a perfect world.

Source of Our Values

The question is: What is the source of our utopian world vision?

Let's focus on those civilizations that are largely responsible for laying the foundations of the values and visions of today's world.

As products of modern, liberal, Western democratic societies, what are the civilizations of antiquity which have exerted the most influence on us? Check those you feel have been most influential:

Aztec

Babylonian

Celt

Native American

Chinese

Persian

Egyptian

Polynesian

Gaul

Roman

Greek

Viking

Indian

Zulu

Survey results show that Greece and Rome are the top two entries for being key sources of our values. While numerous other civilizations contributed as well, the majority arguably comes from Greece and Rome, historically considered the most advanced civilizations of antiquity.

Many of our ideas of philosophy and art come from classical Greek thought of over 2,000 years ago. Rome powerfully shaped Western law, government, administration and engineering.

Let’s look at each of these six fundamental values and see what people thought, and even more importantly, how they acted in antiquity and through the ages. Keep in mind that these ideas were generally shared by the other peoples of the Far East, India, China, South and Central Europe, South and Central America, Africa, and the Middle East. Of course, different cultures varied tremendously, but on a basic level, people reacted with pretty much the same philosophy and practicality in all of our six utopian values.

1) Value of Life: Did Greece and Rome think that a human life is of infinite value? The ancients had a shockingly different attitude, practicing infanticide, human sacrifice, and killing for entertainment.

2) World Peace: Peace among the nations is a major element of the ideal world. Yet in the past, greater emphasis was placed on warriors and hero worship.

3) Equal Justice: Regardless of social standing, any person should have access to a fair legal system. The right to vote by all is a cornerstone of democracy. But the ancient world primarily operated on the class-based feudal system.

4) Education: Education of the population is a key aspect to any ideal society. Yet the ancients were more interested in promoting illiteracy as a way to control the masses.

5) Family Values: The family is the core of any society. It not only builds future generations, but imparts societal attitudes toward sex and roles of women. The ancient view of these values was very different than our own.

6) Social Responsibility: Did the ancient world show concern for the welfare of its people? Were medical care, environmental awareness and concern for its population factors in the ancient world?

Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

Rabbi Ken Spiro, originally from New Rochelle, NY, graduated from Vassar College with a BA in Russian Language and Literature and did graduate studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow. He has rabbinic ordination from Aish Jerusalem and a Masters Degree in History from Vermont College of Norwich University. Rabbi Spiro is also a licensed tour guide by the Israel Ministry of Tourism. He has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs such as BBC, National Geographic Channel and The History Channel. He lives near Jerusalem with his wife and five children, where he works as a senior lecturer for Aish Jerusalem.

In one volume, Crash Course in Jewish History explores the 4,000 years of Jewish existence while answering the great questions: Why have the Jewish people been so unique, so impactful, yet so hated and so relentlessly persecuted?

Crash Course in Jewish History is not only comprehensive and readable, it is also entertaining and enlightening. Novices and scholars alike will find Crash Course in Jewish History to be thought-provoking and insightful, as well as a valuable and relevant guide to understanding the challenges we all face in the 21st century.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 4

(4)
John Gee,
June 11, 2011 12:07 PM

What a Pity We Don't Realise

We're all and each of us, across the whole world, created as an image of G d. If we realized that truth, we'd know of our equality. Our journey through life should be for us to learn how to teach everyone that truth! Our minds are not inside our bodies but our bodies are within our minds. We are all the same. Every person on this Earth should be welcomed into Judaism. We should wake up!

(3)
XXXxThemessiahxXXX,
May 23, 2011 8:25 PM

Perfect world is heaven on earth

The idea of a perfect world would be heaven on earth and a transformed paradise world. When we reach that point then world peace and a wonderful utopia will form. These things will all be realized come near December 21, 2012. A new beginning and the coming for ascension.

(2)
Barry Jacobs,
May 22, 2011 2:48 PM

New Seminar

I eagerly anticipate new seminars, and I look forward to learning much from this one. The f consideration and emphasis on those who thirst for knowledge.
Thank you for this course.

(1)
Cy,
May 22, 2011 12:49 PM

Hmmmm?

6 universal values and 10 laws. How simple life might become if we could only pay attention!

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